Research Associate Professor/Research Professor & Assistant Director, Artificial Intelligence

Prairie View A&M University - Prairie View, TX

Full-time - Senior

Prairie View, TX

Educational Services

About the position

The Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) at Prairie View A&M University seeks qualified candidates for the Research Associate Professor or Professor and AI in Agricultural Research Leader position. This pivotal role is designed to advance the Artificial Intelligence Research Program by implementing innovative and strategic methodologies that address immediate and long-term challenges. The focus will include resolving critical issues concerning providing nutritious and healthy food for the world's expanding population. The incumbent will spearhead a distinguished AI research team supporting underserved producers and businesses by developing and applying safe, productive practices. This role will involve pioneering efficient, innovative, evidence-based solutions within agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and environmental management. The research will incorporate advanced technologies such as high-resolution sensing systems and autonomous robotics to improve precision and operational efficiency in agricultural processes. Furthermore, sophisticated data analytics and machine learning algorithms will extract actionable insights from large and complex datasets, enhancing predictive capabilities and optimizing decision-making. The incumbent will integrate AI-driven technologies into climate-smart solutions that empower underserved communities and foster their development. By leveraging state-of-the-art AI methodologies with sensing technologies, robotics, and data analytics, the role will advance food and agricultural systems, thereby improving all Americans' health, nutrition, and quality of life while contributing to global food security. The incumbent will also build a research team focused on innovative innovations that enhance food safety, address food insecurities, and promote nutritional security.

Responsibilities

• Develop Advanced AI Solutions: Create and implement sophisticated AI algorithms and models to enhance various aspects of food production and animal systems in agriculture, including predictive modeling, optimization techniques, and decision support tools.
• Data Acquisition and Analysis: Gather and examine extensive datasets related to animal and food systems, covering livestock performance, environmental conditions, and market trends. Apply statistical analysis and machine learning methods to derive significant insights from the data.
• Enhance Livestock Management: Utilize AI methods to refine livestock management practices, such as optimizing feed and nutrition, detecting diseases, and improving breeding programs. Develop predictive livestock health and performance models for early intervention and proactive management strategies.
• Optimize Agricultural Economics: Collaborate with stakeholders in agricultural economics to develop AI-driven solutions that enhance economic efficiency and sustainability. This includes demand forecasting, resource allocation, and financial modeling to support informed decision-making and reduce waste.
• Integrate Emerging Technologies: Stay current with the latest advancements in AI, IoT, robotics, and blockchain, and explore their incorporation into agricultural systems to improve performance and sustainability.
• Human Perspectives: Incorporate AI to address human-centric challenges in agriculture, such as labor optimization, consumer behavior analysis, and community engagement. Develop AI tools that consider human factors to improve the overall effectiveness and acceptance of agricultural innovations.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with animal scientists, agronomists, engineers, and other stakeholders to convert AI insights into practical recommendations and solutions. Engage with multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex challenges in food and animal systems.
• Work with faculty with split teaching-research appointments to promote excellence in teaching, research, and service by the level of their appointment; facilitate faculty efforts at seeking external grant support.
• Work closely with other system chairs to foster cooperative/collaborative relationships and a shared vision.
• Foster and develop a culture of collaborative partnership beyond the boundaries of PVAMU.
• Work to foster, strengthen, and integrate relationships and collaborations among four strategic areas (Academics, Extension, Research, and Farm).
• Support team members in enhancing publications and recognition through high-quality research.
• Work closely with the Information, Impact, and Sustainability Center (IISC) to ensure press releases highlight the key findings of the Plant Systems' research, distribute them to media that cater to general audiences, and update web content regularly.
• Participate in College-wide/University/TAMUS Cooperative/Collaborative partnerships.
• Cultivate collaborations in cross-cutting systems including animal, plant, food and nutrition, natural resources and environmental sciences, and social systems and allied research, and facilitate research in transdisciplinary areas cross campus to link with agricultural researchers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Associate Director (EAD) of CARC, Assistant Director of CARC, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, and the Dean/Director of Land-Grant Programs.

Requirements

• Ph.D. with research experience in agriculture, engineering, or related fields and strong skills in data analytics and modeling.
• 7 plus years of experience in leading a multidisciplinary group of researchers.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong publication record.
• Time management skills to be able to prioritize activities, especially when there is a high volume of tasks.
• Communication skills to be able to communicate with internal research members or collaborators and understand their needs.
• Strong organizational skills to perform multiple tasks.
• Robust computer programming, data analytics, geospatial data analysis, and modeling.
• Flexibility to move between activities and duties quickly if priorities change.

Benefits

• Commensurate salary based on experience.